It’s official: spring has sprung. Now is the time to dust off your outdoor furniture and start preparing for the constant sunshine! It’s also a great time to clean up your backyard and front yard in preparation for entertaining your friends and family. But you may be finding it difficult to decide where to start fixing up the carnage left behind by the harsh winter weather. That’s why we’ve put together this checklist, complete with advice on how to maintain (and upgrade) concrete driveways in Melbourne residences.
Make your windows sparkle
Windows (and more specifically, window screens) often get overlooked on spring cleaning checklists. But it’s one of the areas that can get the most visibly filthy, especially after winter when rain residue tends to build up.
The good news is, cleaning your windows is easy. All you need to do is remove the screens and soak them in lukewarm soapy water. If there is a lot of dust built up on the screens, use an old toothbrush to clean them up. For the windows themselves, all you’ll need is a soft, soapy sponge and a hose before they start to sparkle again.
Sort out the shed
Sheds and garages are notorious for becoming clutter havens. But clutter doesn’t just waste space or make it harder to find things – it also makes it unsafe for you and others to pass through. If you’re thinking about a spring clean, then start by removing everything in your shed or garage and sorting them into categories. Purchase and assemble new shelves and storage areas, and ensure you label everything for clarity. Who knows – once you remove the clutter, you may end up with a lot more free space to play around with.
Clear away leaves and debris
Set aside a few hours to rake your lawn and remove any debris that may be clogging up your gutters and downspouts. Before cleaning your gutters, ensure you set up your ladder and equipment correctly, wear gloves and prepare to bring a brush to help you clear away the piles of dirt. After you manually clear away debris, wash down your gutters with a hose for several minutes to ensure they’re squeaky clean.
Touch up faded paint
Out of all the areas of your home, a paint job is one that stands out. If your paint has taken a hit from the rain, hail and wind, you’ll be able to tell – from the peeling edges to the faded tint. Luckily, it’s relatively easy to roll up your sleeves and give areas of your home a new paint job. And with the constant spring sun on your side, it will dry quickly and easily too.
Pressure wash your driveway
Autumn and winter can be tough on your driveway. From leaf stains to mud and dirt, you may find that your driveway isn’t as polished as it used to be. Never fear: this is where the all-powerful pressure wash comes in handy. A pressure clean is not only good practice for driveway maintenance, but it’s also handy for raising curb appeal to those who pass by. If your driveway is due for a reseal or has cracks, spring is the time to address these issues before summer arrives.
Whip out the BBQ
It’s definitely time for your BBQ to come out of hibernation. But you shouldn’t start using it until you’ve given it a good clean. Make sure you use a degreaser and a wire brush to scrape off all the old charcoal and grease that may have built up from last season. Don’t forget to clean up your entertainment area before you invite everyone over!
Give the decking a fresh coat
After three months of rain, cold weather and muddy stains, your decking has probably seen better days. Now that the sun is out, it’s a great time to sweep off the leaves and pressure wash all the dirt off. After you’ve applied some deck clean and given it a good scrub, you’ll be able to apply a fresh stain on your decking.
We install the best concrete driveways in Melbourne
If you’ve noticed your concrete driveway could use a facelift, springtime is the perfect time to reinstall a new one that breathes life into your home’s façade.
At A Better Driveway, we have over 20 years of experience in designing and installing concrete driveways in Melbourne. We specialise in creating popular and stylish finishes, including exposed aggregate, coloured concrete and textured concrete. We service both residential and commercial clients, and some of our top clients have included Westfield Shopping Centres and The Melbourne Exhibition Centre.
Want to learn more about the concrete driveways in Melbourne we design and install? Feel free to give us a call on 0412 537 776 or fill out an enquiry form online.